Bhopal’s political landscape shifted dramatically as the Supreme Court provided a lifeline to Congress MLA Mukesh Malhotra, suspending the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s Gwalior bench ruling that stripped him of his Vijaypur assembly seat. Malhotra, who won the bypoll against BJP’s Ramniwas Rawat, can now hold onto his position pending further review.
The by-election victory for Malhotra was short-lived after Rawat filed a petition claiming Malhotra concealed criminal antecedents and other vital information in his nomination papers. The High Court sided with Rawat, voiding the election and installing him as MLA, prompting Malhotra’s urgent appeal.
Today’s Supreme Court order not only stays that decision but underscores procedural fairness. Justices imposed conditions: no participation in Rajya Sabha polls and no emoluments for Malhotra during the stay period.
Details of the allegations include non-disclosure of two criminal cases, though Malhotra maintained he was acquitted in both. Rawat alleged more pending matters. The High Court viewed this as undue influence on voters.
Celebrations erupted in Congress circles, with leader Jitu Patwari terming it ‘historic justice against BJP’s machinations.’ He urged the BJP to learn from this ‘legal lesson’ in respecting electoral mandates.
As Madhya Pradesh gears up for more political showdowns, this stay revives Congress’s foothold in Vijaypur, setting the stage for intense supreme court deliberations ahead.